Iranian soccer club in Los Angeles reflects divided views on Team Melli during World Cup

LOS ANGELES — Iran opened its World Cup campaign with a 2-2 draw against New Zealand on Monday at Los Angeles Stadium, drawing a near-capacity crowd after pre-tournament concerns about ticket demand.

Inside the stadium, fans brought competing symbols of identity, with some waving the flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran and others displaying the pre-revolution Lion and Sun flag, a historical emblem used by some opponents of the government.

That difference in symbolism also appeared among some fans in how they described their support for the national soccer team and its separation from political views about Iran’s leadership.

That divide extends beyond the stadium into communities across Southern California, home to one of the largest Iranian populations outside Iran.

JUDGE UPHOLDS FIFA'S BAN ON IRAN'S OLD FLAG AT WORLD CUP GAMES AFTER EMERGENCY HEARING

The Sunday before Iran’s World Cup opener against New Zealand, members of Arya FC gathered in the San Fernando Valley for a playoff match in a recreational over-48 league.

Co-founder Nader Adeli, who also manages and coaches the team, said Arya FC was formed about a decade ago and fields two squads. He said most players are Iranian-born immigrants, and the team communicates largely in Persian on the field.

Adeli said players focus on soccer during matches.

"Football brings nations together," he said. "When we gather, we pray for peace and unity."

IRAN WORLD CUP TEAM FORCED TO LEAVE US AFTER TOURNAMENT OPENER IN APPARENT CHANGE OF PLANS

Speaking ahead of Iran’s World Cup opener against New Zealand, Vartan Golbodaghians, a longtime Arya FC player, said he supports the national team regardless of political differences.

"I support my country 100%. I support my country team 100%," he said. "Government is government. Team is team. I don’t care about politics. I support my country and my players."

Adeli said he still feels a strong emotional connection to Iran despite living most of his life outside the country and remains a supporter of the national team.

"I’ve lived 47 years outside of Iran, but I still get goosebumps when I think about Iran, and I support that team," he said.

Team Melli is commonly used to refer to Iran’s national soccer team.

He acknowledged that some in the Iranian community oppose supporting the team but said he expects reactions to shift once matches begin.

"There is a lot of Iranian people that are against it," he said. "But I have told all of them, when Iran scores the first goal against New Zealand, everybody will jump off your seat and start saying, ‘Hooray,’ and support the national team."

FIFA REPORTEDLY WILLING TO LET TRUMP HAND WORLD CUP TROPHY TO WINNING CAPTAIN AT METLIFE STADIUM

Adeli said he hopes Iran can advance further in the tournament than in past World Cup appearances.

"I’m hoping that Iran will have a successful journey in this tournament," he said. "This is probably the first time that we can go beyond the group stage."

Adeli said most Arya FC players support the national team despite differing political views.

"Most of the players that I have talked to are supporting Team Melli apart from any political or religious ideas," he said. "In my opinion, it is the national team and I will be supporting it."

Others in the community offered a different view.

Amin Jafari, a former soccer player in Iran who now lives in Southern California, said he believes the team should have done more to acknowledge people killed during anti-government protests.

"There is nothing more important than the people who lost their lives for Iran," Jafari said. "I was expecting those players to show some respect to people who died for the country."

Jafari said some fans no longer feel connected to the team.

"The connection between the players and the people is already gone," he said.

The differing views reflect a broader debate among Iranians over support for the national team.

Despite those political differences, soccer remains a shared activity for Arya FC players.

Adeli said players focus on the game during matches.

"For the 90 minutes, we all put everything aside in our life, and we play football," he said.